Electrically-heated molded-plastic ironing table-top



June 23, 1964 G. H. KLEINSORGE 3,133,700

ELECTRICALLY-HEATED MOLDED-PLASTIC IRONING TABLE-TOP Filed March 28, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.|

FIG. 4 20 2o INVENTOR: GEORGE H. KLEINSORGE ATT'Y June 1964 G. H. KLEINSORGE 3,138,700

ELECTRICALLY-HEATED MGLDED-PLASTIC IRONING TABLE-TOP Filed March 28, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 7

FIG. 8

34 INVENTOR:

GEORGE H. KLEINSORGE June 23, 1964 G. H. KLEINSORGE 3,138,700

ELECTRICALLY-HEATED MOLDED-PLASTIC IRONING TABLE-TOP Filed March 28, 1961 .3 Sheets-Sheet I5 FIGII 55 /32 6| FIG. l2

FIG.I3

53 56 32 55 NH l 32 INVENTOR: GEORGE H. KLEINSORGE United States Patent Ofi ice 3,138,700 Patented June 23, 1964 7 3,138,700 I ELECTRICALLY-HEATED MOLDED-PLASTIG IRONING TABLE-T01? George H. Klein'sorge, Chic'ago,-lll'., assignor to George H. Kleiusorge,-Inc., Chicago, 111;, a corporation of Illinois Filed Mar. 28, 196-1, Ser. No. 98,939 3 Claims. (Cl. 219-521) This invention relates to tops for ironing tables of the type generally used in the home.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved ironing table-top electrically heated so as to facilitate the ironing process; to provide an improved electrically-heated ironing table-top wherein the heating unit is imbedded in reinforced molded plastic; to provide an improved electrically-heated plastic ironing table-top of this kind which may be mounted on a suitable foldingleg structure or overlaid on other forms of currentlymarketed unheated ironing table-tops; to provide an improved form of electric heating unit embodied in a molded-plastic ironing table-top light in weight to facilitate handling and reinforced in construction to insure complanate rigidity; and to provide an improved form of electrically-heated, molded-plastic ironing table-top and leg-supporting structure of such simple character as to make its manufacture very economical and the results of its use highly satisfactory.

In the adaptation shown in the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electrically-heated ironing table-top constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partly-broken-away, longitudinal cross-sectional view taken on the plane of the line 22 of FIG. 1, showing at the right-hand end the electrical lead from a plug-in cord to the heating element and a receptacle fixture for the plug-in cord of an iron to be used with the table-top;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the electrical heating element for this plastic ironing table-top;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, partly-broken-away, transverse sectional view of the table-top taken on the plane of the line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the circuitry whereby an iron to be used with this electrically-heated table-top is plugged into a receptacle fixture, on the table-top, connected with the coil which heats the table-top;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an ironing table-top, constructed in accordance with this invention, with the foldable leg-support extended for use position of the table-top;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective of the same showing the table-top reinforcing and leg-supporting structure;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, transverse sectional view taken on the plane of the line 8-8 of FIG. 7 and showing the one leg bracket in the process of being secured to the longitudinal table-top reinforcing and leg-supporting structure;

FIG. 9 is a view taken on the same plane of FIG. 7 but showing the leg bracket in its pivotal position to the table-top reinforcing structure;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the table-top, as shown in FIG. 1, indicating the form and arrangement of the table-top reinforcing structure and the connection thereto of the pivoted and slidable foldable leg brackets;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of the table-top showing one of the reinforcing and leg supporting trusses as viewed from the plane of the line 1111 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of the table-top showing the leg-latching and release lever; and

FIG. 13 is an enlarged, partly-broken-away, transverse sectional view taken on the plane of the line 1313 of FIG. 10.

The essential concept of this invention involves a predetermined, patterned adherence of an electrical heatproducing wire to a thin, flexiblematerial embedded in a fiberglass rein-forced molded plastic envelop to form a dish-like ironing table-top with the under face thereof structured to insure a practically perfect complanation of the ironing surface and afford connection for a fold able leg. support.

An electrically-heated, molded-plastic, ironing table-top 15 embodying the foregoing concept comprises an electricheating unit 16 embedded in a fiber-glass reinforced plastic envelop 17, of predetermined contour and dimension, with the under face thereof braced by a complanatemaintaining structure 18 mounting a foldable leg support 19.

The heating unit 16 is formed by securing an appropriate length of the proper gage of conventional heatproducing wire 20 (FIG. 3) to a thin sheet of nonconductive material 21. Preferably, the material 21 should be porous or perforate in order to secure the best results in the formation of the heating unit 16. Materials that have been found especially suitable are coarse-woven fabric like burlap or somewhat absorbent paper of the kraft type.

The wire-supporting sheet of material 21, as herein shown, is contoured to correspond with the perimetrical form of the table-top 15, but, of course, somewhat shorter in length and narrower in width than the table-top 15. The wire 19 herein shown is so arranged as to provide three sets of parallel runs 22, 23 and 24, of gradually reduced lengths. These runs extend longitudinally of the sheet of material 21 from just short of the base end 26 to the apex end 27 and practically uniformly spaced transversely of the supporting material 21. The terminal ends 28 of the heating wire 20 extend outwardly from the under face of the envelop 17 for connection to leads 29 (FIGS. 1 and 2) from a cord 25 having a conventional pronged plug 25 (FIG. 6) insertable into a conventional current receptacle in the room where the ironing table-top is to be used.

The resistance wire 20 may be secured to the supporting sheet of material 21 in any acceptable manner that will insure keeping the runs in uniformly-spaced relationship. Such adherence of the wire 20 to the material 21 may be done by stitching or by spraying a heat-resistance adhesive or thermosetting resinous substance along the several runs of the wire 20.

The envelop 17 with the embedded heating unit 16, is formed, by a conventional procedure, between interfitting' moldelements of such perimetrical form as will produce the desired dish-type ironing table-top 15, as shown in the drawings, with a depending perimetrical flange 30.

As is conventional with molding fiberglass reinforced plastic articles a selected fiberglass mat is placed in the lower of the mold elements upon which is laid' the heating unit 16. A second fiberglass mat is overlaid on the heating unit 16. Thereupon, the requisite quantity and character of a thermosetting resinous substance is poured over these layers of fiberglass mats and intermediate heating unit 16. A suitable amount of filler and, a catalyst when needed, would be included in the resinous substance. Where it is desired to have the finished tabletop incorporate a color a requisite amount of selected pigment would be added to the resinous substance to be poured over the layers of fiberglass mat and heating unit.

The terminal ends 28 of thewire 20 would be inserted into cellophane sleeves 31 (FIG. 2) for insertion through openings in the top mold element as it is positioned for the pressureand heat-conversion operation.

rent cord 25 (FIGS. 2 and As is 'well known in the plastic industry, the conversion operation is effected by the application of the requisite pressure and heat over a predetermined period of time. In the production of ironing table-tops embodying this invention a heat of 225-250 degrees Fahrenheit and a pressure of between 200-500 psi. for 2 /2 to 5 minutes has been found to produce a highly acceptable table-top 15, such as shown in the drawings.

Although not regarded as necessarily critical, the following ratios have been found acceptable in the production of ironing table-tops of the requisite character:

26% (plus or minus) fiberglass in mat form with a view to securing approximately 30% fiberglass per square vfoot of plastic surface,

29% (plus or minus) of powdered filler, and

45% (plus or minus) of resinous substance of the styrene polyester, high-heat distortion type.

The reinforcing structure 18, on the underside of the table-top is essential to insure as near as possible a per.- fectly complanate, i.e. flat, level, ironing surface. A very suitable form of such bracing structure 18, as herein shown, comprises a pair of spaced longitudinally-disposed trusses 32 and, where needed, a series of supplemental cross rods 33.

The trusses 32, as shown in several figures, are of comparatively narrow but rather deep channel form with the free ends of the parallel parts 34 having outwardly-extending flanges 36. V In depth these trusses 32 are shown to be slightly less than the depth of the flanges 30 to the tabletop 15. Such trusses, although conventionally formed of metal, could be molded fiberglass reinforced plastic, similar in composition to the table-top 15 itself. As most clearly indicated in FIGS. 7 and 10, two such trusses 32 are disposed longitudinally parallel and substantially evenly spaced apart transversely of the table-top 15 between the longitudinal median of the table-top and the lateral sides. The trusses 32 preferably are secured to the under face of the table-top 15 by an adhesive such as the wellknown epoxy resin. The adhesive is applied to the flanges 36 of the trusses 32 after which the trusses 32 are placed in position and have suitable pressure applied to hold them in position until the adhesive has dried. Providing a bit of heat in any suitable manner will facilitate the drying operation.

The transverse rods 33, when desired, may be spaced at suitable intervals lengthwise of the table-top 15. Preferably they would extend through the trusses 32 and have their ends extended through the lateral flanges 30 of the table-top 15 and secured in place either by being peened over or with ornamental threaded nuts. Three of these rods 33 are shown in FIG. and, incidently, become accessory to the attachment of the folding leg support 19.

To facilitate the use of the iron with the heated tabletop 15, embodying this invention, a plug-in receptacle 37 is fixed in a box 38 at the rear under side of the tabletop 15, between the end of the trusses 32 (FIGS. 2, 7 and 10). Leads 39 connect the receptacle terminals and the heatingunit terminals 28 in parallel with the leads 28 to the cur- This receptacle 37 permits the iron, when used with the tabletop 15, to be plugged into the source of current for the heating unit 16 rather than with another, or the same, conventional room receptacle into which the cord 25 would be plugged.

The leg support 19, as herein shown, comprises a pair of tubular members 4141 pivoted together at 42 with the respective inner ends secured to brackets 43 and 44, whereby the respective members 4141 are pivotally and slidably connected to the table-top reinforcing structure 18, as presently will be explained. The outer ends of the leg member 41-41' have short tubular foot pieces secured thereto which rest on the floor when the table-top is in use (FIG. 6). The ends of these foot pieces 45 have friction caps 46, seated over the opposite ends to insure against shifting of the legs on the floor when the tableatop is in use.

The bracket 43, as most clearly shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, is a metal stamping 47 with cars 48 struck out to partially embrace the end of the leg 41 and to which the cars 48 are bonded. The opposite lateral edge of the stamping 47, of a greater length than the distance between the opposed faces of the reinforcing trusses 32, is curled into arcuate form to provide trunnion-like ends 49 adapted to extend into aligned circular openings 50 in the opposed parts 34 of the spaced trusses 32, whereby the leg member 41 is pivoted to the table-top reinforcing structure 18.

The stamping 47 is cut away at one end to form a stop shoulder 51 adjacent the one trunnion 49. At the other end the stamping 51 is cut away to form an outwardlyextending lug 52, spaced from the other trunnion 49, of a length substantially the same as the width of the adjacent truss 32. This shoulder 51 and the lug 52 are so disposed as to permit the insertion of the trunnion ends 49 into the truss openings 50 by a shifting procedure indicated in FIGS. 8 and 9. After being shifted into the position shown in FIG. 9 the lug 52 is curled over to engage the adjacent inner edge of the truss 32 and thereby lock the leg-hinging bracket 47 to the reinforcing trusses 32.

The bracket 44, as most clearly shown in FIGS. 10 and 13, also is a metal stamping 53 with ears 54 struck out to partially embrace the end of the leg 41' and to which ears 54 are bonded. The opposite lateral edge is curled to firmly embrace a rod 55 of a length somewhat greater than the distance between the opposed pants 34 of the spaced trusses 32. The ends 56 of the rod 55 extend into slots 57 in these opposed truss parts 34 to slide along the tracks 58.

The slots 57 and the tracks 58 are formed by punching out sections of the side parts 34 of the spaced reinforcing trusses 32. The length of the positioning of these slots 57 and the tracks 58 are such as'to afford enough sliding movement of the rod 55 to permit an extension of the leg support 19 to position the table-top 15 at a maximum convenient ironing height, as shown in FIG. 6, and a folded or collapsed position against the under side of the table-top 15 for storage or transport.

Channel-shaped plates 59 extend transversely across the under side of the table-top 15 at the opposite ends of the slots 57 and the tracks 58. These cross plates 59 are bonded along the opposite edges to the opposed edges of the tracks 58.

A very simple latch mechanism 60 (FIGS. 7, 10, and 12) is provided to permit positioning the leg support 19 to dispose the tabletop 15 at different heights from the floor to accommodate the best ironing conditions for different persons either standing or sitting. The herein-shown latch mechanism 60 comprises a stamped, channel-shaped rocker arm 61 hinged at 62 to the bracing cross rod 33 nearest the tapered end of the tabletop 15. The edges of the parallel parts of this stamping 61, inwardly from the hinging rod 33, have a series of slanted notches 62 which are adapted to releasably seat over the rod 55 to latch the leg support 19 to position the table-top 15 in different distances above the floor. The rocker arm 61 is spring biased to normally hold the notches 62 to engage the rod 55 when the leg support 19 is unfolded or ex tended to elevate the table-top 15 in use position. A depression of the opposite end 63 of the rocker arm 61 will retract the notched section to permit altering the table-top level above the floor or to fold the leg support 19 for storage or transport of the table.

An electrically-heated, molded plastic, ironing table-top constructed in accordance with this invention has been found to achieve results heretofore unknown and unattainable in any of the ironing table-tops heretofore on the market.

One result most appreciated by those who have to use ironing-tables is the convenience in handling, because of its light weight. A table of this construction weighs approximately 15 pounds.

Another result attained with an ironing-table of this construction, ensuing to those required to do the ironing of family clothes, is the speed with which the ironing can be accomplished, and especially when steam irons are used.

A table-top of this construction with a conventional overlaid pad (cover) Will produce a uniform temperature over the entire face of the ironing surface of approximately 110-115 degrees Fahrenheit. Such heat coming up through the pad from the heated table-top tends to quickly dissipate any moisture in the pad absorbed from the damp clothes being ironed. This will be true Whether the ironing is being done with a steam iron or a dry iron. Some of this dissipation of pad moisture will occur concurrently with the movement of the iron over the clothes. Such moisture dissipation will be especially efiective when the iron is up-ended on the board between removal and positioning of the articles requiring ironing.

Variations and modifications in the details of structure and arrangement of the parts may be resorted to within the spirit and coverage of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An electrically-heated, domestic, ironing table-top of conventional contour comprising,

(a) an oblong sheet of thin, stable insulation material mounting (b) a plurality of spaced runs of heat-producing wire extending over practically the entire area of the sheet from a terminal point, (0) a solid thin-Wall molded plastic envelop embedding therein the wiretsupporting sheet and having an exposed cornplanate top ironing surface stabilized by a transversely-disposed perimetrical flange, and

(d) a lead-in fixture on the under side of the envelop connected to the heat-producing wire.

2. An ironing table-top as set forth in claim 1 wherein truss elements are bonded to the under face of the envelop and extending nearly the entire length of the envelop to maintain complanate the exposed ironing surface.

3. An ironing table-top as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lead-in fixture includes a plug-in receptacle for the cord of an electric iron.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,984,008 Baker Dec. 11, 1934 2,213,042 Illmer Aug. 27, 1940 2,249,110 Browning July 15, 1941 2,325,493 Fay July 27, 1943 2,406,022 Little Aug. 20, 1946 2,506,459 Lampiris May 2, 1950 2,606,275 Jacowitz Aug. 5, 1952 2,643,320 Pfenninger June 23, 1953 2,716,213 Johnson Sept. 27, 1955 2,804,533 Nathanson Aug. 27, 1957 2,974,431 Ribaudo Mar. 14, 1961 3,047,051 Matveeif July 31, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 370,972 Great Britain Apr. 11, 1932 509,683 Canada Feb. 1, 1955 769,487 Great Britain Mar. 6, 1957 

1. AN ELECTRICALLY-HEATED, DOMESTIC, IRONING TABLE-TOP OF CONVENTIONAL CONTOUR COMPRISING, (A) AN OBLONG SHEET OF THIN, STABLE INSULATION MATERIAL MOUNTING (B) A PLURALITY OF SPACED RUNS OF HEAT-PRODUCING WIRE EXTENDING OVER PRACTICALLY THE ENTIRE AREA OF THE SHEET FROM A TERMINAL POINT, (C) A SOLID THIN-WALL MOLDED PLASTIC ENVELOP EMBEDDING THEREIN THE WIRE-SUPPORTING SHEET AND HAVING AN EXPOSED COMPLANATE TOP IRONING SURFACE STABILIZED BY A TRANSVERSELY-DISPOSED PERMETRICAL FLANGE, AND (D) A LEAD-IN FIXTURE ON THE UNDER SIDE OF THE ENVELOP CONNECTED TO THE HEAT-PRODUCING WIRE. 